Portugal. The Man centered on frontman John Gourley’s abstract musical approach and corresponding upbringing. He was raised in a sort of technological isolation: his log cabin home in the winter wasteland of the fringes of Wasilla, Alaska was powered by a generator and had no telephone. Both of his parents helped completely immerse him in the unique lifestyle that comes with a land of seasonal darkness and perpetual cold with their jobs as dog sled mushers. Gourley’s innate curiosity and individual spirit combined with a fascination with science fiction and experiences of homelessness create a distinctly transcendent sound that is always open to interpretation and change.
The band’s debut album, Waiter: “You Vultures!” was released by Fearless Records on January 24th, 2006.
On June 22, 2007 they released their second full length, Church Mouth. The band then set out on a full US tour with support from The Photo Atlas, Play Radio Play, Tera Melos, and The Only Children. They then toured Europe, and followed it up with another US headlining tour with support from Rocky Votolato and Great Depression during September and October. Following this tour, they joined Thursday on a short east coast tour in November alongside Circle Takes the Square.
Portugal. The Man collaborated with the band The Sound of Animals Fighting on the re-release of their first album, “Tiger and the Duke.” Portugal. The Man remixed three of the songs on that album.
On July 30, 2008, it was announced that Portugal. The Man would release Censored Colors under its independent record label, Approaching AIRballoons, with a partnership with EQUAL VISION RECORDS. The album was released September 16, 2008.
On April 9th, 2009, Portugal. The Man announced a fourth studio album, The Satanic Satanist. It was released on July 21, 2009.
As of October 2009, It was announced through Twitter that Portugal. The Man have completed another album entitled “American Ghetto” which combines their progressive rock style from their latter albums with some of the electo style from their “Its Complicated Being A Wizard” release. A listening party was held for a group of 17 fans in Los Angeles CA. The album was released on March 2, 2010.
The Got it All (This Can’t Be Living Now) Songfacts reports the band’s sixth album and first for Atlantic, In the Mountain in the Cloud, was released on July 19, 2011.
On February 8, 2013, Portugal. The Man leaked pictures on Bonnaroo's official Tumblr page which showed that celebrated producer Danger Mouse was producing the band's new record. According to a Q&A Zach did on the band's Tumblr, their new album was influenced by Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album.
On February 25, 2013, Portugal. The Man released the name of their new album, titled Evil Friends, on Instagram. On March 6, the band revealed the album art for Evil Friends using a Tweet-to-reveal mosaic. The next day, the video for the title track from Evil Friends was released on the band's YouTube channel. On June 4, 2013, the album was released in the United States. The album featured backing vocals by Este Haim and Danielle Haim. A music video of "Purple Yellow Red and Blue" followed.
On April 22, 2014, the band announced a partnership with Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to release a limited-edition run of 400 records to raise awareness for critically endangered Sumatran tigers. The track, "Sumatran Tiger" does not officially exist digitally, and the copies were sent to "400 carefully chosen influencers, among them actors, activists, musicians, conservationists, bloggers and journalists," and is, as the band claims, "the first song meant to go extinct unless it's reproduced." The band encouraged fans to "scour the Internet" using the hashtags #EndangeredSong and #SumatranTiger to find recordings of the song.
In November 2014, Portugal. The Man were in the studio recording their eighth album with Mike D from The Beastie Boys producing. The band also posted pictures of themselves in the studio on Instagram, as well as showcasing small teasers of what their new album would sound like. Mac Miller was also shown working with the band as well. In May 2015, the band released teasers on social networks of what appeared to be new music with a Latin twist with huapango guitars, dream synths and drums machines. On May 5, Portugal. The Man released a Spanish version of "Purple Yellow Red and Blue" covered by a Mexican-American band called The Chamanas on their official YouTube channel to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. On December 31, 2015, Portugal. The Man posted to their website that they had completed two records followed by separate hashtags #Gloomin + #Doomin. However, on February 3, 2016, the band tweeted from their official account that the new record would be entitled Gloomin + Doomin. In February 2016 Portugal. the Man were featured on the Yoko Ono collaboration album Yes, I'm A Witch Too performing "Soul Got Out of the Box".
On November 30, 2016, Triple J radio debuted Portugal. The Man's new song "Noise Pollution". It was released as a single on December 2, and featured Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Zoe Manville. On March 3, 2017, the band released a single titled "Feel It Still", which was followed by the release of an accompanying music video three days later. It was revealed that Gloomin + Doomin "failed to complete" and was thrown out after three years. They have since completed another album, titled Woodstock, which is promoted by "Feel It Still". The album's title was inspired by an original 1969 Woodstock music festival ticket stub owned by Gourley's father. It led Gourley to a realization that almost 50 years later, music has the same mission as then – "to comment on societal and political unease." "We worked with so many rad people on this album, but ended up with just the four of us in a basement at 4 a.m. trying to say something that mattered," said Gourley. "Trying to write music that would help people feel they're not alone, even if they're angry or feeling lost." Woodstock was released on June 16, 2017. John Gourley and Zoe Manville married on New Year's Eve 2017.
How the Leopard Got Its Spots
Portugal. The Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To triggers, cause bodies that tremble
But this mud looks shallow from the beach
When we hide behind such ugly faces
And the dark eyed woman lifts her head
"Why do we hide behind such ugly faces?"
From the streets down to the shores
They're playing as waterways open
In an obscene gaping gasp
But this mud looks shallow from the beach
When we hide behind such ugly faces
And the dark eyed woman lifts her head
"Why do we hide behind such ugly faces?"
"Rally all your men (rally all your men)
There is work to be done" (there's work to be done)
Still we don't have the time for speaking out of place
He won't come down (he won't come down)
He won't come down (he won't come down)
When lengths of snakes match each silent syllable
"With eyes like these"
Face glistening with suspense of a scalpel blade
Clockwork, calculating surgical precision
But this mud looks shallow from the beach
When we hide behind such ugly faces
And the dark eyed woman lifts her head
"Why do we hide behind such ugly faces?"
"Rally all your men (rally all your men)
There is work to be done" (there's work to be done)
Still we don't have the time for speaking out of place
He won't come down (he won't come down)
He won't come down (he won't come down)
He won't come down (he won't come down)
He won't come down (he won't come down)
La, la, la da da
La, la, la da da
La, la, la da da
La, la, la da da
La, la, la da da
La, la, la da da
La, la, la da da
La, la, la da da
Palms are fitted black and finely tuned
To stomachs that swallowed whole that bayou
But this mud looks shallow from the beach
When we hide behind such ugly faces
And the dark eyed woman lifts her head
"Why do we hide behind such ugly faces?"
The lyrics to Portugal. The Man's song How the Leopard Got Its Spots delve into the themes of violence, power, and the dehumanization of individuals through the use of weapons. The lines "Palms are fitted black and finely tuned/To triggers that cause bodies that tremble" speak to the role of firearms in causing fear and violence. The singer then observes how this violence is often perpetuated by individuals who hide behind "ugly faces," suggesting that the violence is a result of a deep-seated fear or insecurity.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of there being work to be done, but not having the time or space to speak out of turn. This highlights the power dynamic at play, where those in positions of authority keep others in line through fear and intimidation. The second verse takes on a darker tone, with the vivid imagery of "lengths of snakes" and "surgical precision" suggesting a level of brutality that is unseen and unknown to the singer.
The final line of the song, "Palms are fitted black and finely tuned/To stomachs that swallowed whole that bayou," suggests that the cycle of violence is perpetuated through generations, as individuals become more and more desensitized to violent acts. Overall, the lyrics to How the Leopard Got Its Spots are a powerful commentary on the human condition, and the ways in which fear, violence, and power can shape our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Palms are fitted black and finely tuned
Our skills are honed to perfection and we are ready to execute our plan.
To triggers that cause bodies that tremble
We are equipped with weapons that can inflict fear and cause bodies to shake.
But this mud looks shallow from the beach
We may be standing on solid ground but only from a distance, up close, it might be uncertain and murky.
When we hide behind such ugly faces
We present a facade of ugliness to mask our true intentions.
And the dark eyed woman lifts her head
Someone questions the authenticity of the presented image and seeks for the truth.
"Why do we hide behind such ugly faces?"
Inquiry on the reason behind the facade and the need to present it.
Child bearing games from the streets down to the shores
People indulge in insignificant distractions and entertainments.
They're playing as waterways open in an obscene gaping gasp.
People play around without realizing the potential danger that lurks beneath the surfaces.
"Rally all your men there is work to be done"
Time for action, gather all resources and prepare to undertake the task at hand.
Still we don't have the time for speaking out of place
No time to waste on needless discussion or deviation from the plan.
Because he won't come down
He won't come down
He won't come down
A reference to Icarus, the reminder to stay away from danger and avoid crossing the line.
When lengths of snakes match each silent syllable
Attention to detail, where even the smallest elements are taken into consideration.
"With eyes like these"
Mention of eyes that see clearly and perceive beyond facades.
Face glistening with suspense of a scalpel blade,
Face shows that one is tense and prepared for danger, just like a surgeon performing a precise operation.
Clockwork calculating surgical precision.
Approaching the task methodically, with exactitude and precision.
Palms are fitted black and finely tuned
Repeated line, reminding us that the plan is still in motion and its execution is expected.
To stomachs that swallowed whole that bayou.
Referring to the determination of those involved, who are prepared to swallow and overcome any obstacle in their way.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Baldwin Gourley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@selinemui6024
This is ABSOLUTELY my favorite album by them! Been obsessed since I was 15.
@toccianthony
I love the fact that they Added there albums on youtube so we could listen to them. It's rare for a band to do that but it contributes postiviley. Its what help me to decide to buy In the Mountain, In the cloud. Portugal. The Man you are one of the best bands around, keep it up.
@mattheminger
I LOVE Portugal, the Man I skate to it everyday!
@Bored_Overthinker
Catchy AF
@tommyreynoso6792
My first song from Ptm was aka m80 the wolf. And instantly fell in love. That was almost 10 yrs ago.
@csyac10495
aka m80 the wolf was my first song from them too
but "Evil friends" album is my true love, always
@maillardsbearcat
What a masterpiece. I saw you guys with The Fall of Troy and Damiera. One of the best days of my life honestly.
@thokmasta
Such a good band literally obsessed latelly. Just started listening this year glad I started with this album
@Paperbagman555
Awesome song, one of their great early works.
@DanielGonzalezC
I listened to this album obsessively when I was 14, then I forgot about PTM like they were erased from my memory. Then came Feel It Still and I suddenly remembered how much I loved this.